A coalition of civil society organisations in Nigeria has strongly condemned the public harassment and physical obstruction of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Ojo Amupitan, outside Chatham House in London, calling on the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth, and British authorities to urgently investigate the incident.
Speaking on behalf of the Coalition of Civil Society in Nigeria, the National Coordinator of Concern Nigeria Youths, Tijani Abdulmumuni, described the Thursday, November 12, 2026 confrontation as a direct assault on democratic decency and an unacceptable attempt to intimidate a constitutionally established institution ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reports and video footage circulating online showed demonstrators surrounding and blocking Amupitan’s vehicle shortly after he participated in an international panel engagement on Nigeria’s democratic trajectory and preparations for the 2027 polls.
While acknowledging the constitutional right of citizens to peaceful protest and democratic accountability, Abdulmumuni stressed that the demonstration crossed the line into personal harassment, physical obstruction, and potential endangerment of human life. He maintained that democracy must be built on established principles rather than intimidation, noting that no public official should be subjected to hostility as a substitute for lawful scrutiny or institutional engagement.
Questioning the rationale behind the confrontation in the United Kingdom when the 2027 general elections have yet to take place, the coalition pointed out that political parties and candidates are currently engaged in consultations and preparations. It added that recent off-cycle elections supervised by the commission had earned commendations for their credibility, providing a foundation for constructive dialogue rather than premature hostility against the electoral umpire’s leadership.
The coalition further expressed deep concern over what it termed possible organised intimidation, raising questions about the coordination of the protest and the adequacy of security arrangements at the London venue. It warned that speculation must not replace facts, insisting that legitimate questions surrounding public safety and the protection of visiting Nigerian officials cannot be ignored.
In a formal appeal to the international community, the group urged the United Nations, the African Union, and the Commonwealth to take note of the development and reaffirm their commitment to constitutional governance, political tolerance, and the protection of democratic institutions. It specifically called on the British Government and relevant UK security authorities, alongside Chatham House, to clarify the roles of security personnel present during the episode and ensure the safety of visiting public officials is never compromised.
Consequently, the coalition demanded an independent and transparent investigation into the obstruction of the INEC Chairman’s vehicle, clear accountability regarding venue security protocols, and concrete measures to prevent a recurrence against Nigerian officials carrying out lawful assignments abroad. It also urged all political actors and stakeholders to embrace peaceful dialogue, respect the independence and dignity of INEC, and allow the commission to discharge its constitutional mandate without undue pressure or interference ahead of the 2027 polls.
